New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a "Janata curfew" on Sunday, saying all citizens must stay home from 7 am to 9 pm to try and check the spread of the deadly virus. The Prime Minister also cautioned citizens against hoarding and panic-buying, assuring that the supply of essentials like milk, medicines and food would be maintained.
"Under this Janata (public) curfew, no person should leave their home or gather in their society. Only those related to essential services need to go out," said the Prime Minister, adding that all citizens must abide by this.
"On that day, at 5 pm, we will stand at our balconies, windows or doors for 5 minute, we will show our gratitude to those maintaining essential services by ringing bells, sounding sirens, clapping or clanging utensils," he said.
The Prime Minister suggested the one-day exercise would help inculcate a new discipline for social distancing for the next few weeks.
He urged people to stay home and leave only if necessary in the next few weeks.
On Thursday, India reported its fourth coronavirus death from Punjab. A 70-year-old man who returned from Germany via Italy a fortnight ago and died in hospital after severe chest pain, has been found to be positive for novel coronavirus, senior officials said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the government on Thursday announced that no international flights will be allowed to land in India from March 22 for a week amid escalating measures to fight coronavirus.
The government has also advised citizens above 65 to stay at home unless they are public representatives or doctors or government employees. It has also said children below 10 should stay at home.
The total number of coronavirus cases rose to 173 in India on Thursday.
The novel coronavirus has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation with over 8,000 people deaths globally and more than two lakh have been infected.
Here are the Latest Updates on Coronavirus developments in India:
Mar 19, 2020 23:32 (IST)
Entry of tourists and devotees to Puri's Jagannath Temple in Odisha restricted from tomorrow till 1st April 2020, in view of coronavirus, news agency ANI reported.
Mar 19, 2020 20:52 (IST)
Two trainees at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy have tested positive for coronavirus. Both the trainees were part of a team that went to Spain and had recently returned: Uttarakhand Additional Health Secretary, Yugal Kishore Pant, news agency ANI reported.
Mar 19, 2020 20:39 (IST)
Government has decided to constitute COVID-19 Economic Response Task Force under Finance Minister. The task force will remain in regular touch with all stakeholders, take their feedback and make decisions accordingly: PM Modi
Mar 19, 2020 20:38 (IST)
For last 2 months, millions are working day and night in hospitals and airports, those serving others by not taking care of themselves. On March 22, at 5'o clock,we should stand on our doorways, balconies, in our windows and keep clapping hands and ringing the bells for 5 minutes to salute and encourage them: PM Modi
Mar 19, 2020 20:28 (IST)
I appeal to all not to go into panic buying to store essential commodities. Steps being taken to ensure that there is no scarcity of essential commodities: PM Modi
Mar 19, 2020 20:27 (IST)
I request the countrymen to avoid visiting hospitals for routine check ups. If you have appointment for any non-essential surgery, please postpone for one month. We should keep in mind that pressure should not come on hospitals: PM Modi
Mar 19, 2020 20:26 (IST)
Postpone elective surgeries by a month, avoid routine check-ups to ease pressure on health services: PM Modi
Mar 19, 2020 20:23 (IST)
If possible, please call at least 10 people every day and tell them about the 'Janta Curfew' as well as the measures to prevent coronavirus: PM Modi
Mar 19, 2020 20:20 (IST)
I request people above the age of 60 to not venture out of their homes for the next few weeks: PM Modi
Mar 19, 2020 20:20 (IST)
On 22nd March, from 7 am to 9pm, all countrymen have to follow 'Janta Curfew': PM Modi
